Brew-Boss Opinions

[Mike Howard]

Went ahead and ordered the Amazon Fire 10.1 tablet to go along with it.

 

[TennBrewer]

Went ahead and ordered the Amazon Fire 10.1 tablet to go along with it.

Mike, I've got the same setup with the Fire tablet. I find that I can plug the USB end into my laptop and see the Fire files in the BrewBoss folder. I use Beersmith for my recipes and I export the recipe as a BeerXML file type. I can then put this file onto the Fire tablet, go to the BrewBoss app and convert the BeerXML file to a BrewBoss stp file. If I need to edit the step file, I find it a hassle on the tablet so I copy it up to my laptop and edit it as a CSV file in Excel. I can save the edited file and replace the step file on the tablet. Easy peasy.

 

[Conodor]

I'll post some pictures for sure. I think i'm going to do a test set up on a folding table.(i'm an Engineer, so i over think everything) When i do the test run a few times i will figure out the best heights and positions of things. At that point I think i'm going to go buy a few kitchen base cabinets and build like a countertop for it. I just want to make sure it's at the correct height before i build anything. If the base cabinets are to tall. I'll just make a custom base.

This will all be built in my basement. I think next to the set up i'm going to plumb in a large slop sink right next to it so i can have everything together. Still drawing up some ideas.

 

[Mike Howard]

Sounds awesome Conodor! I am having a buddy of mine build a stand like the one Darin has for the 1 BBL system. I ordered the Harbor Freight 440lbs electric hoist to mount to that as well. My system needs to be on wheels so we can move it around. Going to wait until the system actually gets here, because like you, I want to make sure the geometries are right.

TennBrewer, what would be the reason you might need to edit the brewboss.stp file after you import from BeerXML? Just wondering if I should think about writing a small app to edit .stp files or not?

 

[cnash]

Hey all. I also purchased a 15 Gallon system this Black Friday. Probably will sell the FastFerment as I also ordered an Anvil Fermenter.

Can't wait to get this stuff in!

 

[Conodor]

Congrats cnash. throw some pictures up where you get it up and running.

 

[cnash]

Congrats cnash. throw some pictures up where you get it up and running.

Will do. Also used the Kegconnection deals to get some kegs and two tap kegerator kit (upgraded all to stainless and V3S faucets) so I'll have some work to do. Have to move first (hopefully this weekend) then as stuff comes in it gets put together. To my suprise the Kegconnection stuff already showed up.

 

[Lax coach]

Will do. Also used the Kegconnection deals to get some kegs and two tap kegerator kit (upgraded all to stainless and V3S faucets) so I'll have some work to do. Have to move first (hopefully this weekend) then as stuff comes in it gets put together. To my suprise the Kegconnection stuff already showed up.

Yeah I also got three of the new kegs they had on sale, they showed up yesterday. Refrigerators (fermentation chambers) arrived about 30 mins ago. Fermenters will be here tomorrow, Brew Boss was supposed to be today, but is still listed as "Label Created" so it would surprise me.

 

[Mike Howard]

Just got an email saying my order has shipped....woohoo

 

[TennBrewer]

Sounds awesome Conodor! I am having a buddy of mine build a stand like the one Darin has for the 1 BBL system. I ordered the Harbor Freight 440lbs electric hoist to mount to that as well. My system needs to be on wheels so we can move it around. Going to wait until the system actually gets here, because like you, I want to make sure the geometries are right.

TennBrewer, what would be the reason you might need to edit the brewboss.stp file after you import from BeerXML? Just wondering if I should think about writing a small app to edit .stp files or not?

Note: If you got the 240volt system, you will need to use a 240-to-120 volt converter to plug the table into. That side is only 1 amp so you cannot plug the winch into it, use a separate plug for that. I bought the BB stand and use the HFT winch, too. I asked Darin about putting the stand on wheels and he did not recommend it. But, I don't have a dedicated area in the garage for this setup so I need to move it around from time to time, limited by the length of the power cable. I bought this adjustable dolly and it can be made to fit perfectly:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C2MDXLB/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

The added height (about 3 inches) will not clear an overhead beam so I may need to cut the post. It's a limitation I can live with for now but someday I just might have to cut it.

Editing the step file: The conversion is not perfect, I need to make corrections if it messes up when the recipe has any post-boil additions, ie. whirlpool hop additions, fruit, dry hopping, etc. Also, I like to add in some steps to remind me to do things, like pre-boil strike water, connect CF chiller, et.al. Now that the weather has turned colder, I am using a steam condenser so I can't use the Hops-Boss. I make a copy of the original step file and replace the Hops-Boss positions with audible prompts, reminder to connect the condenser before starting the boil. No need to write an app for editing, I just import the .stp file as a delimited file (CSV) with comma for the delimiter. I move the steps to another worksheet where I have a header row that's frozen in place. The header matches the columns for the step data. When I'm done, I move the new step data back to another worksheet and save that worksheet. I can then close the header sheet without saving. One thing that is nice is that Excel will wrap some lines in quotes if you have embedded quotes or commas. I use a text editor to correct these lines. When the file looks good, I change the file type to .stp and move it to the internal storage for the Fire tablet. There is a Brew Boss folder and inside it has a Stepfiles folder.

 

[TennBrewer]

EDIT:Note: If you got the 240volt system, you will need to use a 240-to-120 volt converter to plug the tablet into. That side is only 1 amp so you cannot plug the winch into it, use a separate plug for that. I bought the BB stand and use the HFT winch, too. I asked Darin about putting the stand on wheels and he did not recommend it. But, I don't have a dedicated area in the garage for this setup so I need to move it around from time to time, limited by the length of the power cable. I bought this adjustable dolly and it can be made to fit perfectly:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C2MDXLB/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

The added height (about 3 inches) will not clear an overhead beam so I may need to cut the post. It's a limitation I can live with for now but someday I just might have to cut it.

Editing the step file: The conversion is not perfect, I need to make corrections if it messes up when the recipe has any post-boil additions, ie. whirlpool hop additions, fruit, dry hopping, etc. Also, I like to add in some steps to remind me to do things, like pre-boil strike water, connect CF chiller, et.al. Now that the weather has turned colder, I am using a steam condenser so I can't use the Hops-Boss. I make a copy of the original step file and replace the Hops-Boss positions with audible prompts, reminder to connect the condenser before starting the boil. No need to write an app for editing, I just import the .stp file as a delimited file (CSV) with comma for the delimiter. I move the steps to another worksheet where I have a header row that's frozen in place. The header matches the columns for the step data. When I'm done, I move the new step data back to another worksheet and save that worksheet. I can then close the header sheet without saving. One thing that is nice is that Excel will wrap some lines in quotes if you have embedded quotes or commas. I use a text editor to correct these lines. When the file looks good, I change the file type to .stp and move it to the internal storage for the Fire tablet. There is a Brew Boss folder and inside it has a Stepfiles folder.

 

[Mike Howard]

@TennBrewer Gotcha. Once I get my system set up and ready I may have to hit you up again

 

[Lax coach]

Most USB power supplies these days--including the one that comes with the Kindle Fire HD tablet that Mike just bought--are multi-voltage, and will work fine on the 240V tablet outlet on the BB controller.

If you look at the picture on the page for the configurable system, it shows the tablet power supply plugged directly into the controller.

A step-down transformer is only required if you want to use a 120V pump on the pump outlet.

 

[Conodor]

My main concern isn't so much the power to the winch, but the rotating. I really don't want to move my kettle back and forth. I'd like some form of a moving system. That leaves back and forth or rotating. The stand rotates.

I like that option, due to limited height since it's going in my basement. Since pictures of the stand are limited, It seems on the stand is a circle tube going up, and a square tube over top of it. This will allow the winch mount turn. I'm searching to see what kind of options are available off the shelf for that. So i don't 'have to have something custom made.

 

[Mike Howard]

I downloaded the operation manual for the BB stand and it has break downs of all the pieces...no specs though.

 

[KIDD69]

My main concern isn't so much the power to the winch, but the rotating. I really don't want to move my kettle back and forth. I'd like some form of a moving system. That leaves back and forth or rotating. The stand rotates.

I like that option, due to limited height since it's going in my basement. Since pictures of the stand are limited, It seems on the stand is a circle tube going up, and a square tube over top of it. This will allow the winch mount turn. I'm searching to see what kind of options are available off the shelf for that. So i don't 'have to have something custom made.

Here’s a pic of my 15gal setup that I purchased on Black Friday 2016. I’ve got 3 wheel moving dollies under the legs of the table and they are very smooth when moving the table. Where the winch is positioned, I only need to pivot the table away from the wall approx 2’. When the wort is done draining into the kettle, I go up on the winch enough to get the blue plastic tub under the basket and then push the table back against the wall. I then lower the basket to the ground, all the while holding the tub under it, and low and behold, no mess! The height from top of table to hook is approx. 4’4”. Hope this gives you some ideas and if you need any more info or pics, I’d be glad to help. I’ll also be looking for you guys to post pics that may help me tweak my setup. I know you’ll love the BrewBoss!

 

[Lax coach]

Since pictures of the stand are limited, It seems on the stand is a circle tube going up, and a square tube over top of it. This will allow the winch mount turn. I'm searching to see what kind of options are available off the shelf for that. So i don't 'have to have something custom made.

There's an exploded diagram on page 9 of the stand assembly manual. You're very close. It's actually square tubing on the top and bottom, with round tube sandwiched inside and a sort of built-in flange to allow the top part to rotate freely.

 

[Lax coach]

Just got an email saying my order has shipped....woohoo

What's your tracking status? Mine has changed from "Scheduled Delivery Tuesday 11/27/2018 by end of day" to "Pending", and is still in the "label created" stage, so it doesn't look like it's actually gone anywhere.

 

[cnash]

Mine still says Processing.
For reference I ordered on 11/23/2018 at 12:33PM PST (based on what it actually shows on my order).

 

[Lax coach]

Mine was 23-Nov-2018 6:13:21 PST.

 

[Mike Howard]

Yea....mine is actually sitting at "Label Created"...I expect it to take a few days to actually ship and then probably get here in 1 to 2 weeks from the day I ordered.

 

[cnash]

Just received an email that mine was shipped and it came with a tracking number (which as usual does not work yet). Should have tracking info updates tomorrow I would assume.

 

[Lax coach]

My status changed to "Picked up" just a bit ago, with a delivery date of tomorrow. Since I can't possibly brew until Saturday or Sunday anyway, that's no worse than yesterday.

 

[Mike Howard]

Yep, mine too. Delivery expected Monday.

 

[Conodor]

Mine changed to picked up and delivery duFridayay the 30th. Thanks for the info on the hoist, i've been busy at work so i can't look into it right now. I think i have an idea. I just need to figure out if it will work right. I really don't want to move the cart at all. If i can't a rotating mounted arm to work on a table top. i may have no choice.

 

[cnash]

Here is my idea in a rough 3d sketch. (It will also have wheels.)

 

[Lax coach]

What's everyone's first brew going to be? This will be my first "real" all-grain setup, having previously only used a PicoPro, which while all-grain, is very much a predefined, walled-garden type of brewing. So this will be my first time buying ingredients and actually making the wort myself.

I'm thinking about either doing Biermuncher's Centennial Blonde, or Sierra Nevada Resilience IPA, the recipe for which they published and Chop and Brew translated into a 5-gallon batch size.

 

[cnash]

What's everyone's first brew going to be? This will be my first "real" all-grain setup, having previously only used a PicoPro, which while all-grain, is very much a predefined, walled-garden type of brewing. So this will be my first time buying ingredients and actually making the wort myself.

I'm thinking about either doing Biermuncher's Centennial Blonde, or Sierra Nevada Resilience IPA, the recipe for which they published and Chop and Brew translated into a 5-gallon batch size.

I'm between one of my favorite recipes I've made (Citra & Cascade IPA) or the Sierra Nevada Resilience IPA.

 

[TennBrewer]

There's an exploded diagram on page 9 of the stand assembly manual. You're very close. It's actually square tubing on the top and bottom, with round tube sandwiched inside and a sort of built-in flange to allow the top part to rotate freely.

YoU are correct, the square tube slides over the shorter round tube and sits on two washers that fit on the inner round tube. This lets the outer square tube rotate on the washers. Everything is powder coated so the washers slide easily over each other.

 

[TennBrewer]

What's everyone's first brew going to be? This will be my first "real" all-grain setup, having previously only used a PicoPro, which while all-grain, is very much a predefined, walled-garden type of brewing. So this will be my first time buying ingredients and actually making the wort myself.

I'm thinking about either doing Biermuncher's Centennial Blonde, or Sierra Nevada Resilience IPA, the recipe for which they published and Chop and Brew translated into a 5-gallon batch size.

If you have the 20 gallon system like I have, you must be very aware of the size of the grain bill. I made a Brickwarmer Holiday ale today with a grain bill over 13 pounds. When I lowered the grain filled basket into 10 gallons of strike water, it did not cover the grain bed. I had to add several gallons of water just to cover the grain bed. It seems that my limit for grains is 12 pounds so any recipes I have that call for more will have to be partial mashes as I would need to replace some of the base grains with a suitable LME. Anyway, as it turns out, my specified efficiency (Beersmith 3) was too low but the OG was ok even though there is more wort that expected. When I was ready to chill the wort, I first poured off 1.5 gallons into a sanitized bucket. Good thing I did, when I filled my fermenter (settling tank, actually), I topped it up with the wort I poured off to exactly 6 gallons. Transfer to fermenter leaving behind a half gallon of trub. This should work out to a good 5 gallons into the keg.